NAN-H-44
Stealing
By Dorcas Elusogbon
Ile-Ife (Osun), July 5, 2017 (NAN) An Osun Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife, on Wednesday, remanded Rasheed Idowu 21 and Olakunle Makinde, 35 in prison custody for alleged stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Emmanuel Abdullahi, told the court that the accused persons committed the offence between June 27 and June 28 at Odi-Olowo area, in Ile-Ife.
Abdullahi said that the accused persons conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit stealing, by breaking and entering into the house of one Taofeek Bakare.
He added that the accused persons stole one unregistered T.V.S. Motorcycle, belonging to Bakare, valued N213, 000.
According to him, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 390 (10A) and 412 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol 11, Laws of Osun, 2003.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count-charge of conspiracy and stealing brought against them.
The Defense Counsel, Mr Ben Adiereje, applied for the bail of the accused in most liberal term and pledged that his clients would not jump bail but produce reliable sureties.
The prosecutor objected the bail of the accused persons on the ground that their identities were unknown to the police and the ongoing investigation would be jeopardised, if they were released on bail.
Abdulllahi added that the stealing of motorcycle in Ile-Ife and its environs, had become rampant and the only way to eradicate it, was to make the defaulters ‘a scape goat’ for others to learn from.
In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr Olalekan Ijiyode, condemned the rate of breaking and stealing among the youths.
ljiyode advised them to strive to work hard for brighter future, rather than wasting their precious time on breaking and stealing.
He called on lawyers, journalists, police officers and Nigerians to collaborate in the effort to change the ever increasing crime rate in the society.
Ijiyode ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody till July 10 for hearing. (NAN)
EDA/OIF/YEMI
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Yemi Idris-Aduloju